06 September 2004
There have been less forest fires in Algeria this year compared to previous summers. From June to August, the number of forest fires dropped to 721 from 950 last year. The decline in fires was even more pronounced in the highly forested regions of Tizi Ouzou, Bejaia, Tarf and Skikda. In the 35 provinces analyzed by the fire services, 2,577 hectares of forests were destroyed, a sharp decrease from last year's 4,429 hectares.
There have been less forest fires in Algeria this year compared to previous summers. From June to August, the number of forest fires dropped to 721 from 950 last year. The decline in fires was even more pronounced in the highly forested regions of Tizi Ouzou, Bejaia, Tarf and Skikda. In the 35 provinces analyzed by the fire services, 2,577 hectares of forests were destroyed, a sharp decrease from last year's 4,429 hectares.
This improvement is the result of a number of factors implemented this year. This included the launch of communications campaigns aimed at educating populations living near forests on how to prevent accidental fires and intervene when a fire starts. The forest-rich regions have also deployed advanced fire prevention and intervention systems. The fire services have strengthen their surveillance and intervention aircraft fleet to six airplanes.
© The North Africa Journal 2004
